Our aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone - Save Hondoq

Moviment Harsien Hondoq (The Save Hondoq Movement) welcomes with satisfaction the grant of ten thousand Euros allotted to the Qala Local Council, from the central government for the analytical and technical study of the proposed project of Hondoq ir-Rummien in regards to the environmental impact. This shows that the government is conscious of the negative impact such a project will leave on the area.

This grant was acquired through the work of the Qala Local Council, with the continuous insistence of Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghall-Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) and various environmental NGO’s.

The movement doesn’t understand how, with a pen`s stroke, without any consultation, the local plan for the Hondoq area was changed from an Outside Development Zone (ODZ) to a development zone. The concerned authority is being asked to revise the decision that was taken in 2006 and give Hondoq the status it once had.

The movement’s aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone.

The protests against the project at Hondoq ir-Rummien are justified and deserve backing - Dr. Alfred Sant.

The protests which are being held against he project comprising villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien,Qala, Gozo, not only are justified, but they deserve the backing of all the Maltese and Gozitan people. This was said, this morning, by the Leader of the Labour Party Dr. Alfred Sant, in a press conference ont he spot, where the project is being proposed, and after, moments before, he met a number of residents and families from the village of Qala, Gozo.

Dr. Sant said that the Nationalist government is proposing a project of villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien. The Leader of the Malta Labour Party saidm that from the meetings he had with the residents of Qala, it emerges out that the complaints that are being held against this project are justified, valid and strong complaints.

A visit on the spot where this project is being proposed, said Dr. Sant, clearly confirms that this project should not be accomplished becasue it amounts into a harsh speculation of the area which is one of the most beautiful in Malta and Gozo. This place abounds in a large potentiality for tourism and offers rest and a better life for all the Gozitans, Maltese and tourists.

Thus, emphasised Dr. Sant, the project which is being proposed amounts into an exploitation of a priceless land and a speculation on its value, when the villas and the apartments are built. The aim of this project is nothing more than this land be used so that certain people make large amounts of money.

Dr. Sant said the development being proposed at Hondoq ir-Rummien neither is the development Qala and Gozo need, nor the way to generate work. The leader of the Malta Labour party said that it is not true that the project as it is being proposed leads for long sustainable jobs in Gozo.

Amongst the Qala residents with whom the Leader of the Malta Labour party met before the press conference, was Paul Buttigieg, an activist against the project of Hondoq ir-Rummien and Fr. Lawrence Theuma. Both of them explained in detail, to Dr. Sant their objections versus the project. Foreign residents residing in Qala were also present at the press conference.

On behalf of the malta Labour Party, for the press conference, were present the Deputy leader Dr. Michael Falzon, the Secretary General Jason Micallef, the Gozitan M. P. s Anton Refalo and Justyne Caruana, the spokesperson for the ambient Roderick Galdes, the Qala Labour councillers Anthony Camilleri and Ivan Falzon, the Labour candidate Joe Cordina and officials of the Labour District Committee for Gozo.

Il-protesti kontra l-progett ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien huma gustifikati u jixirqilhom appogg - Dr Alfred Sant

Il-protesti li qed isiru kontra l-progett ta’ vilel, appartamenti ta’ lussu, lukanda u yacht marina f’Hondoq ir-Rummien fil-Qala f’Ghawdex mhux biss huma gustifikati izda jixirqilhom l-appogg tal-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin kollha. Dan qalu dal-ghodu l-Mexxej Laburista Dr Alfred Sant waqt konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet fil-post fejn qed ikun propost li jsir dal-progett, u wara li iktar qabel anki iltaqa` ma numru ta’ residenti u familji mill-Qala f’Ghawdex.

Dr Sant qal li l-gvern Nazzjonalista qed jipproponi li f’Hondoq ir-Rummien ikun hemm progett ta’ vilel, appartamenti ta’ lussu, lukanda u yacht marina f’Hondoq ir-Rummien. Il-Mexxej Laburista qal li mill-laqghat li kellu ma` residenti mill-Qala jirrizulta li l-ilmenti li qed isiru dwar dan il-progett huma ilmenti gustifikati, tajbin u qawwija.

Zjara fuq il-post fejn qed ikun propost li jsir il-progett, qal Dr Sant, tkompli tikkonferma kemm dan l-istess progett m’ghandux isir ghaliex jammonta ghal spekulazzjoni harxa ta’ inhawi li huma fost l-isbah f’Malta u f’Ghawdex. Dan il-post ghandu potenzjal turistiku kbir u potenzjal li joffri rikreazzjoni u hajja ahjar ghall-Ghawdxin kollha, ghall-Maltin u ghat-turisti.

Ghalhekk, sahaq il-Mexxej Laburista, il-progett li qed ikun propost jammonta ghal esplojtazzjoni ta’ art imprezzabli u ghal spekulazzjoni fuq il-valur taghha meta jinbnew il-vilel u l-appartamenti. Il-mutur wara dal-progett mhu xejn hief li l-art tintuza biex certi nies jaghmlu profitti kbar.

Dr Sant qal li l-izvilupp li qed ikun propost f’Hondoq ir-Rummien mhux l-izvillup turistiku li ghandhom bzonn il-Qala u Ghawdex u lanqas huwa l-mod kif jitqanaqal ix-xoghol. Il-Mexxej Laburista qal li mhux veru li l-progett kif propost iwassal ghal impjiegi sostenibbli ghat-tul f’Ghawdex.

Fost ir-residenti tal-Qala li iltaqa maghhom il-Mexxej Laburista qabel il-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet kien hemm Paul Buttigieg, attivist kontra l-progett ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien u Dun Lawrenz Theuma li t-tnejn spjegaw f’dettall ma’ Dr Sant l-oggezzjonijiet taghhom ghall-progett. Prezenti ghall-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet kien hemm anki residenti barranin li jghixu fil-Qala.

Minn naha tal-Partit Laburista ghall-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet attendew ukoll id-deputat Mexxej Dr Michael Falzon, is-Segretarju Generali Jason Micallef, id-deputati Ghawdxin Anton Refalo u Justyne Caruana, il-kelliem ghall-ambjent Roderick Galdes, il-kunsilliera Laburisti fil-Qala Anthony Camilleri u Ivan Falzon u l-kandidat Laburista Joe Cordina, u ufficjali mill-Kumitat Distrettwali Laburista ghal Ghawdex.

Alternattiva Demokratika's Position on Hondoq ir-Rummien Project

Officials from Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party (AD) Executive Committee and AD Gozo Regional Committee headed by Dr Harry Vassallo met with members of the Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq in Qala, Gozo to discuss the application for a major development complex and marina at Ħondoq ir-Rummien and re-stated their position against the Qala Creek proposed speculation.

"The re-emergence of the marina proposal after four years of silence should not be taken as a surprise," Dr Vassallo said. "Nor should residents opposing this development be disheartened by the fact that their referendum giving an 85% majority of the population against the development appears not to have been given sufficient weight. The referendum result is a clear fact that will have to be given due weight in any final decision," Dr Vassallo said.

Dr Vassallo explained that nobody should be deceived by promises of new employment opportunities resulting from this project as no detailed breakdown of the job opportunities which could result by this project in the short, medium and long term is provided in the Project Description Statement. What Gozo needs is sustainable development that will differenciate the island of Gozo from Malta. Projects for specific tourist niches which have long been identified should be implemented without any further delay. Much more could be done to attract foreigners to settle in Gozo which would result in economic benefits for many Gozitans. Such megaprojects like Ħondoq will kill these possible job opportunities and destroy the distinct character of Gozo forever With reference to the current context, whereby the major hotels in Gozo, such as the Mgarr Hotel, the Andar Hotel, the Atlantis Hotel, and others, have ceased to operate as hotels since this situation was being considered as not sustainable, resulting in the loss of job opportunities. Dr Vassallo asked if any audit and feasibility studies have been carried out to justify the need for a five star hotel catering for 170 bedrooms, approximately 25 villas, 60 Self Catering Units, 200 Multi-Ownership Residences, 731 Underground parking spaces (only 90 of which are to be allowed for public use), 10 shops, 5 restaurants and a marina for between 100 to 150 crafts.

"What must be made clear at this stage is that the application process still has a very long way to go and all those who recognize the inappropriateness of the development must be prepared for the long haul," Dr Vassallo said. "Qala residents and all interested parties are due a clear explanation and Alternattiva Demokratika is committed to giving it to them. The planning process is often complex and unclear especially with regard to major development, however everybody can be made to understand what the situation is at present and we will provide the information residents need."

Dr Vassallo thanked the Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq campaigners for their commitment and support in this common cause. "It is essential that residents and all who value the public beach at Ħondoq take heart once more and realize that their work is not yet over. The Gozo Regional Committee of Alternattiva Demokratika has been following developments closely and will be able to respond to residents queries by holding an information meeting in the village in the coming days. It is time for the 85% of Qala residents to make its presence felt once more and to remind the developers that they will not be ignored," Dr Vassallo concluded.

Carmel Hili - Communications Coordinator
Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party
Tel: 21314040 / 21314039 / 21314037 Fax: 21314046
E-mail: info@alternattiva.org.mt & gozo@alternattiva.org.mt
Websites: www.alternattiva.org.mt & www.adgozo.com

MLP Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
18 TA’ AWISSU 2006

Stqarrija mahruga mid-Deputati Laburisti L-Avukat Joe Brincat, Kelliem Ewlieni ghall-Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali, mid-Deputat Roderick Galdes, Kelliem ghall-Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali u mid-Deputat l-Avukat Anton Refalo, Kelliem Ewlieni ghar-Regjun ta’ Ghawdex

Zvilupp tal-Hondoq fil-Qala Ghawdex

Qed nesprimu t-thassib serju taghna ghall-proposta ta’ zvilupp ta’ l-inhawi maghrufa bhala Hondoq ir-Rummien qrib il-Qala gewwa Ghawdex. Minn aspett ambjentali din il-il-proposta kif imressqa quddiem il-MEPA tmur kontra l-principji ta' zvillup sostennibli.

Ma jaghmilx sens li medda ta’ art daqstant kbira u tant qrib il-bajja popolari ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien ghandha tinghata ghal zvilupp massiv u intensiv kif qed ikun propost. L-approvazzjoni ta’ dan il-progett jista’ jfisser li l-bajja ta’ Hondoq tkun qed titpogga f’riskju serju, kemm fil-rigward ta’ l-ezistenza fizika taghha stess kif ukoll meta wiehed iqis id-dritt tal-pubbliku li jkollu kull access ghall-bajja u l-inhawi ta’ madwarha.

Aktar minn hekk, f’kuntest ta’ sostenibbilta’, ma jaghmilx sens li Ghawdex jinghata daqqa ta’ harta ohra tant kbira ghal dak li ghandu x’jaqsam mal-harsien ta’ l-ambjent naturali tieghu. Bilfors li wiehed m'ghandux jinsa l-impatt negattiv li dan il-progett ihalli fuq il-hajja tar-residenti tal-Qala, bit-traffiku li jigi generat, kemm waqt it-twettiq tal-progett u kemm wara.
Filwaqt li nemmnu li ghandu jsir kull sforz sabiex l-inhawi ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien ikunu mharsa tajjeb anke permezz ta’ progetti ta’ rijabilitazzjoni, jibqa’ l-fatt li dan m’ghandux jimplika t-tip ta’ izvilupp massiv kif qed ikun propost bhalissa.

B’dispjacir ninnotaw ukoll li kull meta jitfacca xi progett ta’ zvilupp pjuttost kontroversjali qed johrog fil-berah kemm il-pubbliku mhux jinghata spazju u zmien bizzejjed sabiex jesprimi l-opinjoni tieghu f’atmosfera ta’ konsultazzjoni xierqa u mill-aktar wiesgha.

Xi zmien ilu n-nies tal-Qala kienu diga’ esprimew id-dizapprovazzjoni taghhom ghal dan il-progett partikolari. Ma nistghux nifmhu kif, minkejja dan, il-Gvern donnu jaghzel li jibqa’ passiv u jinjora l-preokkupazzjonijiet tal-pubbliku, filwaqt li juza’ l-MEPA bhala paraventu skond ic-cirkustanzi.

Progett bhal dan f'area sensittivi ghall-ambjent naturali ta' dawn il-gzejjer bl-ebda mod ma’ huwa idoneju ghall-inhawi ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien u lanqas huwa konformi mal-htigijiet ta’ zvilupp sostenibbli li Ghawdex tant jehtieg.

Fl-isfond tal-Pjani tal-Partit Laburista ghall-Ambjent u r-Regjun t'Ghawdex nemmnu li l-karatteristici naturali tal-gzira Ghawdxija ghandhom ikunu mharsa u gawduti minn kulhadd u mhux ikunu sagrifikati ghall-skopijiet ta’ spekulazzjoni.



Dr Joe Brincat
Kelliem Ewlieni ghall-
Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali

Roderick Galdes
Kelliem ghall-Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali

Dr Anton Refalo
Kelliem Ewlieni ghar-Regjun ta’ Ghawdex